On 24th August 2024, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, together with European Union Ambassador to Tanzania Christine Grau, officially inaugurated the Kidatu-Ifakara Road and the Great Ruaha Bridge over the Great Ruaha River in Kidatu in the Kilombero District of the Morogoro Region in central Tanzania.
The Great Ruaha Bridge, stretching 133 meters, is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the regions of Morogoro, Njombe, and Ruvuma and boost economic activities by making the transportation of goods and people more efficient.
Similarly, the new Kidatu-Ifakara road is set to transform the transportation network within these regions. This road is crucial for the movement of agricultural produce, especially from the fertile Kilombero Valley, known for its rice and sugarcane production.
Improved road infrastructure is expected to reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and improve market access, benefiting local farmers and businesses.
The new road will help the transportation of farmers’ products through the Agricultural Development Program (SAGCOT) in the Southern Zone of Tanzania aimed at improving market access for agricultural products and stimulating greater investment in agriculture and agro-processing.
The project received joint funding from UKAid, the European Union (EU), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a total investment of TZS 157 billion (approximately USD 67 million).
During the inauguration, President Hassan stressed that the regions of Morogoro, Njombe, and Ruvuma produce a lot of food, so the presence of good infrastructure will facilitate the activities of transportation of food produce and deliver them to the market on time.
She also reiterated the government’s dedication to improving infrastructure nationwide. She emphasized that the completion of the Kidatu-Ifakara Road and the Great Ruaha Bridge is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and support economic growth.
This project aligns with Tanzania’s development goals and underscores the importance of investing in infrastructure to drive progress.
The successful completion of this project paves the way for further infrastructural developments in the region as the government has promised to continue with the construction of other parts of the road with the aim of connecting the Morogoro region with neighboring regions.
The government has already allocated substantial funds for additional road repair and construction projects, signaling a continued focus on building a robust transportation network. These efforts are expected to attract more investments, stimulate economic activities, and improve the quality of life for Tanzanians.
